SPORTING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3263, 23 July 1889, Page 2

SPORTING.

Melbourne, July 22.. The following is the result of the Grand National Steeplechase ; Eaglet, list 21b .'.. 1 Peter Osbeck, list Gib 2 Saxon, 12st 8 Won easily by four lengths. Time, Cuiin 59sec. There were only seven starters,

New Zealand Hemp. The Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, in their Loudon circular on June 15th, reports on New Zealank hemp:—Under pressure of exceptionally heavy supplies, the value of New Zealand fibre, notwithstanding a rise in the quotations for .Manilla, has declined during the past month to the extent of 60s to 70s per ton, and at the fall it has been somewhat difficult to movo, Sale at auctions and privately amount to about 1800 bales, the hulk _ consisting of good medium descriptions, which have realised about £B4 per ton, falling eventually to £3l per ton, while well-cleaned fibre Las clanged hands at £32 per ton. But a limited inquiry has existed for common, course and strawy parcels, and transactions have taken place at £2B per ton. In the present unsettled state of the market buyers show no disposition to operate for forward shipment, With reference to the remarks contained in our issue No. 857, with respect to the necessity for care being exercised in the preparation of Now Zealand hemp for this market, tho condition in which much of tho fibre has recently come to hand, both in consignment and in satisfaction of forward contracts, renders it desirable again to bring this subject under the notice of shippers. In particular we may mention that many parcels sold to arrive on the basis of " fair" quality have fallen much below that standard, principally owing to imperfect dressing, thus involving appeals to arbitration and awards against sellers, Apart altogether from tho friction and loss thus occasioned, it must be borne in mind that, unless greater regularity is shown in such deliveries, buyers will decline to purchase New Zealand hemp on this basis, and the efforts to obtain for this fibre a large area of consumption will be counteracted,